Richard Wyman

Richard “Dick” John Wyman was born on October 18, 1929, in Burbank, California. He passed away in Wenatchee, Washington on February 24, 2024 at 94 years old. Dick spent most of his life in Washington state, where he enjoyed the natural beauty, raised his family, and put his entrepreneurial spin on the automobile industry. Born to Richard Earl Wyman and Grace Elizabeth Hampson, He and his younger sisters Jane, Irene, and Patricia, spent their early years in Fillmore and Bardsdale, Ventura County, California near his maternal grandparents’ John Hampson’s citrus ranch. The orchards are still in operation today. His family moved to Springhill, and Eugene, Oregon in the early 1940’s and eventually to Seattle. Dick attended O’Dea High school in Seattle, graduating in 1947 where he met his lifelong friend Allan Swegle. He attended the University of Santa Clara and then enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He served in Germany with the post-WWII peacekeeping force from 1950 through 1951. In addition to his military support assignments, he participated in various army sport competitions including shooting, skiing, and swimming and traveled Europe extensively during his military leaves. After military service, he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics at the University of Washington in 1954. He worked at Seattle First National Bank, where he met his first wife, Marjorie Hope Sweet, the mother of his five children. He then shifted gears to the automobile industry, working for Lincoln Mercury. In the early 1960s, Dick followed his independent spirit opening Dick Wyman Rambler in the then small, sleepy town of Bellevue, Washington. An economic downturn in the early sixties beginning with John F. Kennedy’s assassination led him to close the Rambler dealership and open a new business specializing in used cars, Car Town, in north Seattle. Dick cultivated a large inventory and would open his car lot to the community for the annual Lake City Seafair Parade. He'd line up the station wagons, tailgates out, along Lake City Way for families to sit and climb on while the various floats, marching bands, and dreaded SeaFair pirates would glide past. With Car Town, he embraced splashy advertising, with large newspaper ads and TV ads for the local stations featuring himself, of course. Eventually tiring of running a business, he set off on a midlife adventure returning to California and working a series of sales jobs, one of them included the new Pickleball industry. He returned to the Seattle area convinced that his talent thrived in sales and that he did best working as an owner/operator. He worked at a variety of car dealerships, eventuality as an independent auto wholesaler, buying and selling at the local Seattle Auto Auction as well as to Seattle area car dealerships. This fit his preference for low overhead and no employees. He operated a couple of one-man used car lots. He loved the hunt for deals and passing them on. He loved working one-on-one with customers, often starting new friendships. He would occasionally offer private financing to down-on-their-luck customers. He had a soft spot for limited income divorced moms and would often go to lengths to find them an inexpensive and reliable car. He continued to buy and sell cars late into his seventies. He married Julie Barrett in 1983 and lived in her vintage bungalow in Medina, the home base for their many adventures. He loved golf: the technique, the personalities, the strategies. He golfed into his seventies with his old school buddies, Al Swegle and Ted Shanahan. He wasn’t one for fancy golf resorts but preferred public courses such as the Nile Shrine Golf Course in Mountlake Terrace, Washington and Willows Run Golf Course in Redmond, Washington. Golf was an intellectual pursuit as well as a sports camaraderie. He read widely about technique and practiced his swing just about anywhere, including the Medina Elementary playground (thank goodness for practice wiffleballs). It was his solemn belief that some of the best places for a burger or a decent breakfast are in a Golf Course cafe. Dick was a person of immense curiosity, rare intellect, and high standards. Widely read, anything he tackled included an intellectual deep dive. His curiosity was limitless. He will be remembered for his love of nature, fishing, his infectious sense of humor, and his generous spirit. He will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Dick is survived by his daughters, Pamela Stanton-Wyman (Colin), Paula Taylor (Ernie), Anne Wyman, Sherry Wyman; grandchildren, Ryan Stanton, Kyle Stanton (Lindsey), Nichole Rice (Patrick), Jessica Taylor (E.J. Rafferty), Ruby Wyman, Ryan Admire-Wyman; great-grandchildren, Kit and Jack Stanton and Avalynn and Estella Rafferty; and former spouse, Julie Barrett. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, and his son, Larry Wyman. Our family is thankful for the caring team at Elmwood Cottage Adult Family home in Wenatchee, Washington and at Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral, Wenatchee, WA. Dick Wyman Celebration of Life Picnic Sunday, July 28, 2024 12:30 - 3:00 (program 1:30) Si View Park Picnic Shelter 400 SE Orchard Dr. North Bend, WA 98045 RSVP Pam Stanton-Wyman 425-765-4747 Casual, Kids welcome. Come with your memories to share. Dick Wyman Committal Monday, July 29, 2024 12:00pm or earlier arrival, 1:00pm service Tahoma National Cemetery 18600 SE 240th St Kent, WA 98042 More information: This is a solemn Veteran’s Service, 30 minutes. The service provides military honors to the Veteran. There will be a rifle salute, firing of a three-round volley and playing of taps. The final tribute is the folding and presentation of the American flag. We will not have a reception at this event but you are encouraged to stroll the beautiful grounds and exhibits at Tahoma.

Tributes

Richard Wyman

October 18, 1929 - February 24, 2024